Contaminated Sites

Many sites in the province became contaminated during past industrial or commercial activities that resulted in chemicals or toxic materials being spilled or deposited on land.

The most common contaminants include heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Many sites also have organic chemicals, including benzene and toluene in gasoline. Chlorophenols are common at wood treatment operations, as are benzo[a]pyrene and naphthalene from creosote. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often occur at sites where electrical equipment was used and perchloroethylene (PERC) at dry cleaning sites.

Fact sheets answer common questions about site remediation and can be printed off and circulated.